Health

Health

Since 2009, the Institute has been building partnerships and moving ideas to action to bring the idea of Healthy Parks, Healthy People mainstream. To this point, the Institute has forged a national movement by telling the stories of successful "park prescriptions" programs around the country and inspiring leaders in the parks and health fields. With National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, Michele Obama’s Let’s Move initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others joining the movement, there is a readiness across the country to act.

Benefits of Nature >>Spending time outside, especially exercising in a natural setting as opposed to indoors, provides mental health and emotional benefits.

Participate >>Being active outside is a small but powerful change you can make to improve your health and wellbeing. Learn how you can get involved to improve the health of your community through regular use and enjoyment of parks and public lands.

Resources >>Tools for parks, health and community organizations to work together to increase the health of our population and our parks.